Universal sextant



Dec.l3, 1946. v A L, CHAUVET 2,411,870

UNIVERSAL SEXTANT Filed May 31, 1943 srsheesl-sheet 1 .l

, DC 3, 1946 A. L. CHAUVET I 2,411,870 I I UNIVERSAL SEXTANT Filed May 51', 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y firmen/frs Dec. 3, 1946f l A. L. CHAUVET 2,411,870

' UNIVERSAL SEXTYANT Filed May 31, 1943 sheets-Sheet 3 IHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIII!I Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNIVERSAL SEXTANT Albert L. Chauvet, Piedmont, Calif.

Application May 31, 1943, Serial No. 489,182

. kl .Y A

This invention relates to a navigational instrument whereby measurement of celestial altitudes may be attained with speed and accuracy under conditions of visibility that would prevent the use of a standard nautical sextant.

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of sextants; to provide a sextant which is termed a universal sextant as it may be used as a standard sextant, and by release of aclamp is instantly converted into a sextant which may be used at night, or under conditions of visibility that would prevent the use of a standard sextant; to provide a sextant having a pendulum on which is secured a telescope, said pendulum and telescope establishing an artificial or substitute horizon through means of a cross-wire placed in the optical axis of the telescope, said cross-wire forming a line which coincides with the sensible horizon and from which all vertical angles may be measured; and further, to provide an index arm pivoted about the axis of the pendulum at one end, and movable over a graduated scale at the opposite end, said index arm being provided with a micrometer whereby the scale may be accurately read in degrees and minutes or less.

The universal sextant is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the seXtant, said elevation showing the index and horizon mirror in section; f

Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side' elevation showing the rear side of the sextant;V

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the outer end of the index arm, said -view showing the micrometer attached thereto;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the micrometer showing it removed from the index arm;l

Fig. 6 is an end view of the micrometer looking from the drum end;

Fig. 7 vis a vertical cross-sectiontaken on line 1 1 of Fig. 1but showing the index. arm swung into a vertical position;`

Fig. 8 is a front View of the index mirror;

Fig.v 9 is a plan view of a spherical washer used in conjunction with the index mirror;

Fig. 10 is a front View of the horizon mirror;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation partially in section of a shaded glass tube; and

Fig. 13 is a vertical central longitudinal section of the micrometer` but showing the drum and its bracket inI side elevation.

Referring tothe drawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, A indicates in general the frame of the sextant. This frame is plate-like in construction and consists of three legs indicated at 2, 3 and 4, the legs 3 and 4 being connected by a base member 5 and the arms 2 and 3 being connected by an arcuate segment 6 which is provided with a scale 'l graduated from zero to in degrees. The frame is held when in use by the handle 8 secured to the rear side thereof by bracket arms 9 and I0. The frame carries a pendulum arm Il on the lower end of which is secured a telescope l2. The frame also carries an index arm generally indicated at I4, and in addition thereto, the frame carries a horizon mirror l5 and a shaded glass tube I6, while the index arm carries an index mirror indicated at l1.

The pendulum is mounted to swing about a pivot which is best shown in Fig. 7. That is, the frame proper indicated at A has a bushing secured thereto as at I8. Disposed outside the bushing is an antifrictionV ball. bearing i9 and mounted freely to swing on the bearing is a collar 20 from which the pendulum Il is suspended, a pivotal connection 2| being, however, formed between the collar and the pendulum arm so that it may also swing in a direction at right angles to the frame.

The telescope tube is secured in any suitable manner to the front face of the pendulum arm, and besides that of serving as a telescope, it also serves as the bob or weight of the pendulum. The pendulum arm is bent at right angles at its lower end as indicated at 22 in Fig. 2, and extended upwardly at right angles as shown at 23 on the rear side of the frame, and it carries a counter weight 24 which is adjustable longitudinally to compensate for any adjustment of the telescope I2, as will hereinafter be described.

The telescope also carries a spirit level 25 (see Fig. 1), so adjusted by the manufacturer that when the pendulum is swinging freely, then the optical axis of the telescope will point to the sensible horizon. The spirit level or bubble used is tubular. It is calibrated and should be correct to not more than one-quarter minute of an arc, or fifteen seconds. The telescope consists of a tube with an ordinary object glass and a wide angle positive eye piece to give a broad field. A horizontal cross wire, not shown, passing through the optical axis at the focus of the eye-piece of the telescope coincides with the sensible horizon when proper adjustments have been made. This cross wire is used as a line from which all Vertical angles may be measured,

Yconnectedfby a base section 3 The index arm I 4 is pivoted to revolve about the same axis as the pendulum. rlhe arm proper is secured to a collar ita, and this in turn is provided with a pin lib which extends through the bushing I3 and is rotatable therein, the pin Mb and the index arm carried thereby being secured against removal by a washer and screw as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The index arm carries an index mirror generally indicated at i?. This mirror is mounted on a 'plate Via and is spaced from the arm Ui by pointed pins Hh, by a spherical washer Hc, and by a ange iid. Two screws are provided, one extending through the spherical washer and one being disposed at a point adjacent the iiange Hd. These screws adjustabiy secure the index mirror to the index arm anid'thereby'permit correction or adjustment whenever necessary. The index arm has an elongated reading slot formed in it adjacent its outer end as indicated at 23 (see Fig, l), andit is also provided with an -ad'justablelmagnifyingglass1-2 9 whichis normally disposedabove the reading-slot.

-Ieo'therear-iaee of the'index arm-is secured a micrometer generallysindicated atB V(seelligs. f4, l5 and 13). This micrometer consists of a kJ-shaped bracket having two arms s3@ and Si -Avthird bracket arm is-disposed at and this isvseeured to the base '32 by'an arm-'1%. inthe arms 3a and 32 -are disposedY pointed screws i5- between whichA is journalled a rod-E5 havinga threaded portion 3l. On thethreaded-portion betweenvthe arms .Se andflis disposed a andsecured ona rod Ibetween the armsl and 33 is a drum 3Q which is graduated'ircm zero to sixty inminutes. The v'upper ends of thearmsii and Si' are drilled and tapped to receive screws i0 whereby the-'micrometeras a wholeissecured to the rear side of the -index arm. Two-other screws pass through the index armlas indicated atff'i, and these secure a Vplate 42 fromwhich extend two `spring arms d3 A'which iric'tionally engage the` rear surface of the varcuate member 6 Ato iri'ctionallysecure the .index arm against free movement. The index arm also carries-asmall bracket M (see-Figli) v-in which 'fis-jo-urnalled a' slowmotion tangent friction roller "ifwhich is Irotated-by meansof a knobli. VThe tangent friction roller e5 engages the Outer knurledI peripheral edge of the arcuate finember carryingftheedegree scale?, and when knobJiis grasped androtated, it swings vthe index arm lupY or 'down thetscale. 'The nut 3S previously 'referred Vto carries an index'iinger-fil (see Figs.

'5 and 6). lrihis index ringer is made of a transparent material'such-as Celluloid or one of the i transparent plastics. It overlies'the scale 71 which "between them` with a slight-margin on each side.

The function of the lines i8 will-hereinafterbe described.

: The horizon mirror'indicated at liti -isprovided with a plate bent atright angles thereto as shown at' 50. This plate has foot" lugsformed thereon as shown at '51,l and a screw passing-through the ,plate5 as at 52, 'and'i'nto the rameforms ameans of securing-the Amirror to the frame,l and italso forms a pivotabout which the vhorizon mirrorV may @be swung'when it isiadju'stedll Thehorizonmirror has a non-silver'ed slotl53'-iormedtherein.so as 4 to verify parallelism between the horizon and index mirrors, and, when necessary, to view objects directly,

To one side of the horizon mirror or between said mirror and index mirror is disposed a tube l5 such as sho-wn in Figs. l and 12. This serves the purpose of a sunshade. For instance, in taking an altitude of the sun, the eye must be protected by reducing the intensity of the suns rays. This is accomplishedby mountingtwo polarizing discs within the tube le as indicated ate?, and 56. The disc isstationary, and is secured in the lower portion of tube I6, while the disc 5S is carrie'd by'a tube section, 15a, which telescopes with relation to the tube I6, and is rotatable. Rotation of this disc increases and decreases light-ray transmission-and light intensity may be further reduced by mounting a dark colored glass of the type Aused by welders at the point indicated at 5l. The combination of polarizing and colored .discsshowninlliig V121s, of course, Aonly;intended :fcrxiay1ightusev and-particularly; iorobservations on :the sun, but it;:must, .of course, beg substituted :by v'a E tube containing :clear .feiass s when :observations are taken at-'night,;for instance,gongthe moon and stars. '.Ordinarily,whengsubstituting clear -glass for the .colored ,glass :shownin iFig. i2, changingoi` theifocus .of thetelescope'would be necessary, but :as the;` plain; glasszused inrthis instrument is .designatedxto,havethesame; rev-iractive effect the .lightrayyreducing -medium or discs .shown in- Fig. `12,1. the.- telescope maygremain constant focus bothioridayfand nightobservations. This is iinportantgasY the telescope, forms the ,bob or weight of'the;pendulum,and anyv ad- 'justmenttof thetelescope; Nifgthis were. necessary, `wouldithrowLthe,pendulumpbr rather the spirit level, out of' adjustment,butgasrbothf-sets; of glass, Vwhether clear :glass or the type; shown inA -12, havethe same refractive, effect,Y adjustment; ofthe telescope becomes unnecessary; andL as previously 'stated,.may remain ,xed. jAgcounterweight-Zfi -disposedi enz-fthe rear;` side ofz the pendulum arm isprovided to obtainthe necessary adjustment ci :the pendulumand the; spirit level. This weight is longitudinaily movable on its support as the screw '124e securing .itgoperatesfin anI elongated slot illb (see-Figs. 1'.L andA 2) ,'.Thisf weigllaf when properly radjustedgginsures correct-.positioning of the bubble tin# 4the;spirit-level. vandas ,the telescope; .tube requires no further adjustment thereafter, the optical systemiofv the telescope-may; remainynxed. Ii it were notmixeditrwould be necessary to adjust the weight 24 from timepto'time,V which would be time consumingV and anuisance.

4Itr was previously statedrthat the lsextant might be employed as a standard nautical ,sextant To permit .this a clamphgscrew-. isprovidedl (see Figs. land-2). This passes-,through a slot 6ta formed in the lower 'end ofthel pendulumv arm, and when it is clamped, it `clamps .the-pendulum armi and the telescope \.to-.-theframe:-VA. Conversel'ypby releasing theuscrews-S;the pendulum becomes free to swingfbothfin--a direction parallel to the face Yof thesextant framerfand in additionzftl'iereto'has a limitedfswinging movement about the pivot 2l` in adirectionat right angles .to :the face ofI the iframe. y; Both of these movements ,are essentialetof; permit the freest possible.` movement' oftheypendulurn; furthermore the ends of the slot arservefas stops ,-te; limit the movement or swing of :ther-pendulum.

.`.-Befo1e 4taking an'cobservation; tghe; instrument should be checked for accuracy. v.'Iiheinstrmnent is held by the yhandleinzthe righthand so'that iindex glass should coincide. Held thus, the zero mark on the drum should be at its index point.

'The zero line of the arc should be exactly midway l between the double lines on the micrometer index finger. With these conditions verified the instrument is ready for observation. On a star, for

example, with the index arm pushed upward, the

star is located by sighting over the top of the telescope and along the plane of the instrument. Holding the instrument Very steadily with the telescope swinging freely, almost touching the iframe, and at the same time barely bumping :against the stop, the object is brought into view in the'ield of the telescope by means of the tangent roller knob and lowered until its image comes inv contact with the horizon cross wire. The Valtitude is measured by noting the next lowest degree on the arc scale just below the double index lines. The tangent knob is then turned until this lowest degree line bisects the space between the double index lines. The altitude then is the degree reading plus the drum reading in minutes, an operation requiring butv a few seconds of time.

The novelty lies in the fact that the pitch of screw corresponding to one revolution of the drum must be greater than the corresponding space to be measured on the scale so that one revolution of the drum advances the double line along the scale a distance greater than that between two lines of the scale. Therefore, if at zero of the drum a line of the scale bisects the space between the double lines, then the next line of scale will again bisect the space between the double lines before the drum can make one complete revolution. The advantage of this is that any screw die can be used to cut the thread as long as its pitch is greater than the spaces between the arc lines. All the micrometer has to do is to measure a distance with less than one turn of the drum. Therefore, the drum can be accurately divided f without difculty to read any degree of precision. The reading is almost instantaneous and' the micrometer is inexpensive to make.

The use of a spirit level or bubble to establish :an artificial or substitute horizon is not new, 1 as a number of bubble sextants are in use. Bubble sextants are diiiicult to use as it is practically impossible to hold the spirit level in the hands 1. and maintain the bubble in its central position for more than an instant. In other words, the bubble sextants in use are not provided with means for stabilizing the bubble. By providing a pendulum 1 and mounting the spirit level thereon, as in the vpresent structure, the bubble is stabilized and is .readily maintained at rest in a central position :thereby insuring that the telescope which forms the bob of the pendulum will point precisely to :the sensible horizon.

In bubble sextants now in use, the bubble is 'visible in the optical axis of the telescopes, hence, the object being observed together with the bubble must be illuminated at minimum of material and as actually designed weighs about one pound. Practically all parts are.

stamped or cut from sheet metal as they are flat,I

and the only other parts employed are of rod or' tubular form. Such a structure permits a com-- pact simple assembly, low cost, light weight, as-I aluminum alloys, stainless steel and like metals'y Having thus described my invention, what II claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. A sextant comprising a frame, a pendulum. pivotally mounted on said frame, a telescope car ried^` by the pendulum to view an object observedi,I said telescope having cross-hairs to maintain a. substitute horizon, a horizon mirror carried by theI frame and disposed in front of the telescope, an index arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a scale for the index arm to indicate the angle of elevation of the observed object above the horizontal; and an index mirror carried by the index arm. to reflect an object being observed to the horizon mirror and the telescope.

2. A sextant comprising a frame, a pendulum pivotally mounted on said frame, a telescope carried by the pendulum to View an object observed, said telescope having cross-hairs to maintain a substitute horizon, a horizon mirror carried by the frame and disposed in front of the telescope, an index arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a scale for the index arm to indicate the angle of elevation of the observed object above the horizontal, an index mirror carried by the index arm to reflect an object being observed to the horizon mirror and the telescope, and means carried by the frame for controlling the intensity of light entering the telescope.

3. A sextant comprising a frame, a pendulum pivotally mounted on said frame, a telescope carried by the pendulum to view an object observed,

said telescope having cross-hairs to maintain a substitute horizon, a horizon mirror carried by the frame and disposed in front of the telescope, an index arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a scale for the index arm to indicate the angle of elevation of the observed object above the horizontal, an index mirror carried by the index arm to reflect an object being observed to the horizon mirror and the telescope, and means interposed between the index and horizon mirror for controlling intensity of light reflected into the telescope.

1i. A sextant comprising a frame, a pendulum pivotally mounted on said frame, a telescope secured to the pendulum to view an object observed, said telescope having cross-hairs to maintain a.. substitute horizon a spirit level carried by the telescope and having a bubble to indicate when the telescope points to the sensible horizon, a horizon mirror secured to the frame in front of the telescope, an index arm rotatable about the same pivot as the pendulum, a scale for the index arm to indicate the angle of elevation of the observed object above the horizontal, and an index mirror` carried by the index arm to reflect the night bya small. electricf fbulb lin order' to be seen. In the present instrum'ent, the cross-wire and the object being ob' served Yare the only things which can be seen in the. optical system. The bubble is not viewed,I hence no illumination'is required during night observations.

The lsextant shown in this application is rie-- signed for low cost production. It requires a.

object being observed to the horizon mirror and the telescopen 'i Y F': 5". A seXtant comprising a, frame, a, pendulum pivotally? mountedr'on Said framegla'telescope' *secured to the pendulum to-'view an object'observed, said telescope having cross-hairs to lmaintain a substitute horizon a spiriti level lcarried by-the telescope and having a bubble to indic'atewhen the ftelescope point'sto thefsensible^horizo1i a horizon mironseured to the/frame ini froninolY l0 

